Miami Vegan Blog

Labels: cookies, delicious, desserts, eatpastry, miami, pastry, vegan chocolate

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june 28 (7pm - til...) : butter gallery : 3135 commodore plaza , coconut grove, fl : 305.303.6254
opening party celebrating the half way point of the project featuring 167 prints (from january 1st thru june 15)
photos will be on exhibit until july 31st. sponsors: ecstasy liquor & lola's cupcakery

Labels: alissa christine, art, butter gallery, dj inga ambrosia, miami, photography

After so many recommendations from my vegan friends, I finally decided to head on over to Life Food Gourmet in Downtown Miami.



John is a great chef. His food has such good energy, pure energy. He's been on a living foods diet for four years straight. Pretty impressive if you know how difficult that can be if you're not a chef. We had a nice chat about lifestyle, food, health and the future of his restaurant. He has some big plans that I'm sure are going to be successful.

First off, I had some Nachos. I haven't had nachos in many many years. These tasted like gourmet nachos. Very tasty and fresh. They have salsa, homemade guacamole, pumpkin spiced "carne molida", nacho pine nut cheese & brazil sour cream. Unbelievable!



He asked me if I wanted to try a pizza. I told him, "No, I don't like pizza." What I meant was, "I don't like raw pizza." He said, "It tastes like real pizza, and it's made with sprouted quinoa, flaxseeds and SD tomato bread." I was curious. I gave it a try and all I can say is that, it was divine. I've had "raw" pizza before and this one blows them all away!

Labels: brickell, john schott, life food gourmet, living food, miami, raw food, raw vegan, real life food, south florida

Labels: art of food, downtown miami, miami, raw food

Labels: art of food, miami, raw, raw food, vegan

Labels: concert, fiona apple, miami

OPEN 12 - 7PM (New Hours!!)

The Art of Food
3404 North Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
Design District (across from Circuit City)
305-438-0004
www.theartoffoodcafe.com


Take a journey and explore delicious gourmet live-food cuisine bursting with flavor and healing enzymes to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit. We offer nutrient-packed, natural cuisine organize soups, salads, entrees, desserts all without the guilt but with all the pleasure. Or come in for a herbal MarTEAni, a juice, or smoothie and unwind.

Everything at The Art of Food is made by hand with the freshest organic ingredients available which we prepare at below 118 degrees to preserve the valuable enzymes and nutrients all made WITHOUT refined sugars, flours, eggs or dairy, bring you Mother Nature's Best!

~~

My friend Sheryn owns this place. The menu is very big and their desserts are INCREDIBLE! Tell her Inga sent you. =)

Labels: art of food, design district, miami, raw, raw vegan, restaurant, south florida, vegan

Dear Starbucks Corporation,

Thank you so much for carrying Soy Milk. You would not get my business otherwise. However, there is absolutely nothing in your display case for vegans. Not one thing. You have pumpkin loaves, muffins, black and white cookies, scones etc. You even carry McDonald's style egg McMuffins with bacon and cheese. Not healthy at all, but I can see that you're willing to expand your inventory.

Not only are there no ingredients posted, but there is nothing specifically vegetarian or vegan. What's up with that? Yes, some vegans drink coffee. I rarely do but when I do, its a week long deal, every day practically.

So I beg you, please start carrying some vegan products so I can eat a little something with my Soy Latte or I'm going to have to start going to Offerdahls.

Thank you kindly,


Inga Ambrosia

[Photo]

Click [HERE] to find out what other vegans say about Starbucks on their suggestions page.

Labels: coffee, miami, starbucks, vegan, vegetarian

I posted a review of my friend's restaurant [HERE]

Today, I got a thank you from one of his customers (below).

Ambrosia, a million thanks for posting this!!

I was starving yesterday... and after what seemed like 100 vegan-related Google search queries.. I came across this post..

I live in Carol City, so the drive wasn't far at all..

The food was delicious! I ate at a Vegan Burger w/ chips and hummus, a scrumptious vegan patty, and had the most delicious bottle of water that I've ever had in my life!!

The owner, Hakin, was a wonderful host while we were in his restaurant. He sat and conversed with us as we ate, and even blessed us with two to-go plates on the house!

I definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for good wholesome food!! Not just vegetarians or vegans, Anyone!

[Source]

YOU'RE WELCOME!! Apparently, I missed him by five minutes. Next time ... =)

Labels: miami, north miami, vegan

Vegetarian Restaurant by Hakin
73 NE 167 Street
Miami, FL
(786) 210-8787
Open for breakfast at 7:30am
Mon - Thurs 7:30am - 7:oo pm
Friday 7:30am - 3:00pm
Sunday 7:30am - 5:00pm
Specials everyday
Closed Saturday


One of my really good friends owns a new vegan/vegetarian restaurant in North Miami called, Vegetarian Restaurant by Hakin.

This is what I ate yesterday with my father and niece. Neither of them is veg but they really enjoyed it. I had watermelon juice (made from scratch) and this special of the day.

Tofu Fish (realistic texture without fishy smell)
Curried Tofu
Red beans and potato
Rice
Cucumber Tomato Salad

They have 3 portions, $4, $6, $9. This must be the $9 one because I couldn't finish it. Very tasty and very flavorful. No wait, I also had a vegetable and soy burger wheat patty. DELICIOUS!!!!! =)

Hakin is a very spiritual man and puts a lot of love into his meals. You will enjoy it!

Labels: hakin, miami, north miami beach, restaurant, review, south florida, vegan, vegan restaurant, vegetarian, vegetarian restaurant

Labels: downtown miami, hurricanes, miami, rising sea levels, south beach, south florida, weather

Well, in the past few weeks I've been eating out and going to parties. Here is a brief recap of those experiences in my 'vegan shoes'.

Houston's Steakhouse = my parents like this place. Would never choose a steakhouse if my daughter was a vegan but whatever. Very cute bartender served me a Homemade bean veggie burger, made with black beans and oat recipe. It was good except all I could eat was the burger. I asked for a side of avocado to put on top. It had mayo, mustard and an egg bun. Yuck! The burger was good but it looked just like a rare beef burger, so I had to do some mental gymnastics to finish it. Then, I asked the bartender if the apple dessert had butter on it. He said 'No', so I tried it. 'Excuse me, why is the cinnamon floating. Tastes like butter.' He asked the chef and he said, 'Oh there's a little butter ... oops'. I'd already eaten a spoonful. Not cool!

Denny's = not a place I frequent but hey I wasn't driving. Ordered a boca burger. Asked for it plain. The waitress assumed that meant I wanted cheese. I had to scrape the cheese off, when what I wanted was a totally different patty. I wasn't in a bitchy mood and she looked sorry so I ate it. She looked at me like I was a weirdo. That's fine. That's normal. Added BBQ sauce to cover the taste of the cheese I missed. Ordered salad instead of fries. What did it have clumped up to one side -- cheese. I could only eat half the salad. Puh!

Chili's = Ate a black bean burger with vegetables. 'Do the vegetables have butter? Oh no ma'am not butter. It comes, not only is there butter on the veggies but also on the burger bun, which touches the bean burger. Once again, took the high road and ate the burger but not the veggies. You know how many times I eat just the patty but pay for the other stuff that just sits on the plate.

Japanese Buffet = these are all over town. Where I live there aren't many options if you want to eat healthy. They had veg sushi rolls, rice, steamed vegetables, miso soup w/ tofu and seaweed. That's it. Not bad but you have to go to sleep afterwards. Must have MSG.

Beehive = this place is near the Gables and South Miami. So nice to walk into a place and know that you can eat everything. It's a vegan counter/diner in the back of a health food store. I had "fake tuna" for the first time in my life. So good! I wanted to ask the chef, 'Are you sure this isn't tuna?" It tastes just like I remembered. Haven't had it in 5 years. Made in a wrap, with sprouts and lettuce and raddish. So delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =)

Gables Diner = my friend thought I could eat grits because I love grits, with my Southern self. We get there and the waiter says, 'We only have cheese grits.' Can you make it without the cheese? Nope. Ok fine. I'll just sit here and watch everyone eat runny eggs, ham, sausage, belgian waffles and lots of whipped cream. No problem ...

Birthday Party = Last night I went to my friend's birthday party. He turned 30. Luckily there were a lot of vegetarians there that made some amazing dishes. Even raw vegan food. I actually ate a little too much. It was a BBQ even and they had 'veggie burgers'. People don't understand that even if it says veggie burger, it doesn't mean vegan.

An older man there, who made a vegan dish, gave me a long lecture about how veganism should not be a label that I use for myself. He said, "Make sure you don't let veganism define who you are." Are you kidding? That's exactly how I want to define myself. 'Make sure you work more on your emotional and spiritual self than what you eat.' That's exactly what I do by being vegan. Food has energy, animal products have traumatized energy. By not eating it I am not exposing myself to things that would contaminate my spiritual self. He goes, "I tried being vegetarian but I ..." Let me stop you right there. You couldn't hack it, so now you are going to try to condemn anyone that has stronger willpower than you. Meanwhile, he had a gut and moobs. I don't mean to be mean but don't tell me to not force my opinion on others and you are doing that exact thing to me. Luckily, one of the vegetarians that was nearby came to my defense. 'Leave her alone. Let her live her life the way she wants to.' Thanks, Flint.

So, when the birthday cake came, everyone ran over to it, eating with their bare hands, offering me some. Hell no! I would not eat that refined bleached sugar if you paid me. They even gave some to the dog. It was gone in minutes. Do I ever wish that I could eat like everyone else and have a smorgasbord everywhere I went. My answer is No because in order to do that, I would have to unlearn everything I know. Be ignorant again. No, I like being vegan, it is like sitting on the outside of a house that is falling apart and you can look through the window, but you are enjoying the cool breeze outside. It feels good out here .... God is out here.

xoxo
~inga~

Labels: anti-vegan, beehive, denny's, houston's, miami, south florida, steakhouse, vegan

1. Eating Cake - Last night I went to a party. They had birthday cake. I haven't had birthday cake in almost 4 years.

2. Buying Candy Bars - I spent 10 minutes in Walgreens looking for something chocolatey to eat. Nothing!

3. Pizza - Most pizza has butter and cheese on it. Not vegan friendly.

4. Going Out To Dinner - if someone invites me to dinner, I have to already decide that I'm going to eat plain baked potato or salad. No one ever recommends eating at a vegan or vegetarian restaurant. Everyone eats steak, chicken and fish in front of you, making you lose your appetite anyway.

5. Eating Soup - I love soup, especially on the rainy days Miami has been having. Soup has either beef broth, chicken stock, cream, milk, eggs, butter ... etc.

6. Cookies - Wild Oats has some Vegan Cookies that are to die for. Also, I just discovered Famous Amos makes their own version of OREOS ... so good! Most people can pick up a box of cookies and go to town without worries. They should worry but they don't.

Ah well, nobody made me become a vegan, Just wanted you to know ... it ain't easy being GREEN baby ... but I wouldn't change it for the world.;-)

~inga~

Check out VEGGIEMUNN.COM http://www.veggiemunn.com for desserts, soups, entrees and snacks for vegans/vegetarians/raw foodists/veg-curious.

Labels: birthday cake, cookies, herbivores, miami, omnivores, oreos, pizza, raw, raw vegan, south florida, vegan, veganism, vegetarian

www.bocaraton.com

Labels: bocaraton.com, earthdance, miami

Labels: ambient, area 57, dj inga ambrosia, earthdance, miami

NOW WITH DELIVERIES TO BROWARD COUNTY

Did you know you can get weekly deliveries of raw food to your home or office? Have you been interested in raw food, but not sure how to prepare the meals?

Veggie Munn has started delivering to Broward County on Wednesdays. Sign up for the newsletter to get the weekly menu, which always has new and delicious items.

Eating raw has so many health benefits. I've been RAW for about a month. I have received so many compliments from my family and friends, saying that I seem happier and have an unmistakable glow to my face. The energy boost is amazing and the pounds just melt away. I was already a vegan, but my body feels totally different now.

Going raw helps with weight loss, diabetes, high cholesterol and many other health issues. The dishes are delicious and prepared with love. I just received a week's worth of food and have enjoyed every dish. My favorites are Lasagna and Tropical Fruit Plate.

Contact:
Mariela Rodriguez, Raw Vegan Chef @ 786-232-8046
or www.veggiemunn.com

Labels: broward, coconut grove, coral gables, dade, fort lauderdale, hallandale, hialeah, hollywood, kendall, miami, miami beach, pembroke pines, veggiemunn

Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals

Under NO circumstances does BRONZO SENSUALÉ complete or commission any type of animal testing whatsoever. Bronzo Sensualé products do not contain any natural animal-derived ingredients. This applies to all the products we make. From both our personal and our professional standpoint, this has always been our policy. We here at Bronzo Sensualé, have established that animal testing is not only wrong, but also unnecessary. In some cases, we list beeswax, lanolin, or squalane, on our labels. However, we strictly use the SYNTHETIC equivalents. For beeswax we use an artificial beeswax known as Lipobee. The synthetic lanolin is called Solan, and the squalane is derived from olive plants and is called Phytosqualane. As active members of the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics, we are staunch supporters of the American Anti-Vivisection Society, American Humane Society, Doris Day Animal League, The Humane Society of the United States, In Defense of Animals, New England Anti-Vivisection Society, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and the Defenders of Wildlife amongst many others.

We are thrilled to be able to share with you the absolutely finest NATURAL skincare and suntan products available in the world, without sacrificing our ideals. Experience for yourself how wonderful Bronzo Sensualé really is, and discover the softest skin you have ever had!

Animal Protection Organizations supporting the corporate standard of compassion for animals and the humane cosmetics standard. The standard was developed by an international coalition of animal protection groups from North American and the European Union, led by the Coalation for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), and the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE). Some of the groups endorsing the standard are:
The Humane Society of the United States	The American Anti-Vivisection Society
American Humane Association	Doris Day Animal League
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals	New England Anti-Vivisection Society
In Defense of Animals	Beauty Without Cruelty

[BRONZO SENSUALÉ Website]

Labels: beauty, cosmetics, miami, miami beach, vegan

Labels: miami, miami locksmith, security, south florida

[AMBROSIA AMBIANCE WEBSITE]

Labels: ambient, ambrosia ambiance, chill, dj immortal, dj jared, dj soulistic, inga ambrosia, melodic, miami, miami beach, ocean drive fusion, phisonica, south beach, vegan, vegetarian, vj

The headlining act for my Ambrosia Ambiance Tour is PHIsonica. Check out their music and their download store. More info available @ ambrosiaambiance.com

Labels: ambient, ambrosia ambiance, inga ambrosia, miami, miami beach, music, phisonica, south beach

If you know of an A/R representative that can hook me up with singing in animated movies, please email me. There are a few projects coming up that I'm very interested in.

Also, my blog birthday is June 1st!!!!! I know, it's been a whole year of blogging. Can't tell that by my archives, but my loyal readers know it's true.


My days are filled with promoting my latest shin-dig happening on Thursday, May 31st, the first blue moon in 3 years. When I have the flyer printed this week, I will post it here. We will have a live act, and 3 DJ's, spinning ambient/melodic/downtempo/lounge music. One of the DJs, yours truly.

I'm looking for local artists, poets and musicians for future events. Would be great if you have a positive spin. ;-)

ciao
inga

Labels: ambient, ambrosia ambiance, downtempo, melodic, miami, organic, phisonica, south beach, vegan, veganism

When: Saturday, May 26 at 2:00PM

Where: Prana Vegetarian Restaurant
7293 NW 36th. Street Miami
Miami FL 33166
305-594-6966

When:
Saturday, March 24th. Of 2007

Where:
Prana Vegetarian Restaurant
7293 NW 36th. Street
Miami , FL 33166
Phone 305-594-6966

Time:
2 PM (you may be able to buy your lunch at the restaurant)

What's an interesting issue we'll discuss?
We will show a movie about the global warming "An Inconvenient
Truth" come watch and discuss the movie and also we can talk
about "The China Study"; The Most Comprehensive Study of
Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for
Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health.

Who should come?
Any body interested on learning more about why is so important
to be a vegetarian and oriented organic user for the well of
planet earth and our health.


For more information call 305-803-7838

To RSVP "Yes", click here:
http://organic.meetup.com/78/calendar/5719587/rsvp/t/cv1_ve/?response=3

To RSVP "Maybe", click here:
http://organic.meetup.com/78/calendar/5719587/rsvp/t/cv1_ve/?response=1

To RSVP "No", click here:
http://organic.meetup.com/78/calendar/5719587/rsvp/t/cv1_ve/?response=2

Labels: miami, organic, prana yoga, south florida

Raw Vegan Cakes: [VeggieMunn.com] (also pies)

Available in 8 different sizes:

1. 9 inch round cakes (10 generous portions or more if cut thinner slices) = $40.00
2. 9 inch square cakes (12 portions or more if cut smaller) = $40.00
3. 9 inch heart-shaped cakes (perfect for Saint Valentine's, anniversaries, Mother's Day, or just to say I Love You) = $40.00
4. 9 inch star-shaped cake (great for graduations, congrats on promotions, etc.) = $40.00
   
5. 4 inch heart-shaped (perfect for Saint Valentine's, anniversaries, Mother's Day, or just to say I Love You) = $20.00
6. 9 inch X 13 1/2 inch rectangular cakes = $60.00
7. The sampler (three flavor cake): 9" round or heart-shaped it's like having 3 cakes in one = $60.00
   
8. Call me or e-mail me to customize your raw vegan wedding cake or for any occasion you may have.
   

Flavors:

• carrot with citrus/cashew frosting
• mocha ~ no coffee, so it's ok to share with the kids, just tastes as if it had coffee
• pineapple upside down cake
• red summer cheesecake ~ almonds & macadamia nuts, with a very berry filling.
• brownies ~ very rich
• mocha brownies ~ very rich, no coffee so it's ok to share with the kids
• banana nut "bread"
• apple, cranberry and orange loaf ~ Perfect for Thanksgiving
• chocolate w/raspberry topping
• zucchini "bread"
• apple crumb cake

CELEBRATE MOM ON HER DAY!


Organic Raw Vegan Gift for Mom

Sunday, May 13th is Mother's Day. Honor Mom with the gift of a beautiful and delicious organic raw vegan dessert! Our desserts are so delicious, it's hard to believe that they are wheat free, dairy free and free of refined sugar! May I suggest a luscious Summer Red Cheesecake, with a very berry filling and topped with edible flowers? They come in 3 sizes:

1. 4" heart shaped ($20.00)
2. 9" round, square, star or heart shaped cake ($40.00)
3. 9 inch X 13 1/2 inch rectangular cake ($60.00)

Labels: desserts, miami, mothers day, organic, raw, raw vegan, veggiemunn

Labels: fusion, miami, ocean drive, restaurant, south beach, south florida, vegan, veganism